Apparatus and method for removing fingernail polish

ABSTRACT

A disposable nail polish removing device  12  for removing nail polish and other debris from a finger or toe nail and at least one methodology  300  which requires the placement of liquid  406  such as nail polish remover, within the formed device  12,  effective to allow the contained liquid  406  to be later deposited upon a nail or other surface.

This is a Continuation-In-Part of pending U.S. patent application Ser.No. 13/028,708, which was filed on Feb. 26, 2011, which is currentlypending, and from which priority is claimed.

TECHNICAL FIELD Background

Various cosmetic devices have been used over the years for theabsorption and application of a nail polish removing solution. The mostcommon of these devices is a cotton ball soaked in either acetone ornon-acetone nail polish remover. When the cotton ball is juxtaposed witha finger or toe nail and compressed with force from the user against thenail, it provides means for depositing a nail cleaning fluid andabsorbing nail polish and other debris that existed on the nail prior tothe application. Traditional cotton balls are soft by nature. They areeasily divided or changed in shape. Particles of lint or small strandsof cotton may be deposited on the nail surface during cleaning. Thecotton ball slowly disintegrates during use making it difficult to use asingle cotton ball to complete the removal of nail polish from all fivenails on either a hand or foot at one time. Also, the lint or smallstrands of cotton left on the nail after the removal of the nail polishstill need to be removed from the nail surface prior to continuing themanicure thus adding the extra step of washing the nails thoroughlyprior to continuing the manicuring process.

It is known that many cosmetology professionals, including manicurists,have developed symptoms of carpal tunnel. Carpal tunnel may cause theprofessional to experience pain, tingling, pricking, numbness, orweakness in the fingers of their hands. Presently, many cosmetologyprofessionals utilize a traditional cotton ball for the removal of nailpolish from finger or toe nails and the pinching motion necessary tograsp an easily deformed cotton ball can cause the occurrence of and/orseverely aggravate symptoms of carpal tunnel. Particularly, carpaltunnel syndrome is a soft tissue injury resulting in an inflammatorycondition that effects the “wrist nerve” (www.livestrong.com). Moreover,it is known that squeezing a firm sphere or ball in the affected handwill alleviate the painful symptoms associated with carpal tunnelsyndrome and is very therapeutic (see, www.livestrong.com). Such a hardspherically shaped device may even prevent carpal tunnel syndrome fromoccurring. A need arises for a nail polish removing device that has theability to hold its shape while still providing both the cleaning fluidabsorption and deposit and the abrasive characteristics necessary tofacilitate the easy removal of nail polish from a finger nail or a toenail.

Moreover, the use of these prior devices requires that liquid beseparately provided and deployed upon these devices and such deploymentmay cause undesirable spoilage and inhalation of the fumes of thematerial, as well as it creating a more complicated nail polish removerapplication methodology.

Among the references considered before filing this application are: U.S.Pat. No. 2,713,693 to Johnson, U.S. Pat. No. 2,841,811 to Carroll, U.S.Pat. No. 4,627,129 to Wittes, U.S. Pat. No. 5,027,839 to Appel', andU.S. Pat. No. 6,575,172 B1 to Crosby.

Thus, there is a need for a new and improved nail polish removing devicewhich allows nail polish remover to be quickly and efficiently depositedupon a nail and which concomitantly reduces the probability of the userexperiencing carpal tunnel syndrome and which provides an overalltherapeutic experience to the nail technician. The present inventionprovides for all of these benefits.

SUMMARY

In one embodiment a nail polish removing device to be used by apractitioner on a customer has at least one indentation on a generallyspherical body. The one or more indentations can be used to grasp thedevice while the remaining surface of the device can be used for nailcleaning purposes by being capable of both absorbing and applying acleaning fluid while simultaneously absorbing nail polish from a fingeror toe nail.

In another embodiment a nail polish removing device made of a spongematerial that is dimensionally sized to be held by a non-closed hand hasan external surface capable of facilitating the removal of debrisdeposits from on and under a finger or toe nail. The device comprises aplurality of indentations that may be used by a practitioner forgrasping the device while limiting the effects of carpal tunnel.

In still another embodiment a nail polish removing device comprising aconvex body has at least one concave finger-well and is capable ofretaining and dispensing a cleaning fluid. A transition surface betweenthe convex body and the concave finger-well provides a blunt cleaningedge for cleaning various regions of the linger or toe nail.

In still another non-limiting embodiment, liquid (such as nail polishremover) is places selectively within the device and made to selectivelyexit the device and made to deposit upon a nail, wherein the liquid ismade to exit the device when the device is squeezed or compressedagainst a nail or other object.

In still another non-limiting embodiment, a nail polish removing deviceis provided which reduces the probability of the user acquiring carpaltunnel syndrome and which provides therapy to those having this maladywhile concomitantly allowing nail polish to be removed.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a nail polish removing device incombination with a syringe 120 which may be;

FIG. 2 is a top view of a nail polish removing device with fourindentations;

FIG. 3 is a top view of a nail polish removing device with sixindentations;

FIG. 4 is a top view of a nail polish removing device showing four sideindentations and a top indentation.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a prolate nail polish removing device;

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of cubical nail polish removing device;

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a frusto-conical nail polish removingdevice;

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of a frusto-pyramidal nail polish removingdevice;

FIG. 9 is a perspective view of a hemispherical nail polish removingdevice;

FIG. 10 is a perspective view of a sponge nail polish removing device;

FIG. 11 is a perspective view of a substantially concave nail polishremoving device showing a fluid in retention.

FIG. 12 is a flow chart illustrating the sequence of steps associatedwith the use of the devices which are also shown and described in thisapplication.

FIG. 13 is a perspective view of two portions which cooperatively form asingle device.

FIG. 14 is a perspective view of a device formed by the components shownin FIG. 13.

FIG. 15 is a perspective view of a nail polish removing device made inaccordance with the teachings of yet another embodiment of theinvention.

FIG. 16 is a side sectional view of the device which is shown in FIG. 15and taken along view line “16-16”.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

As required, detailed embodiments of the present invention are disclosedherein; however, it is to be understood that the disclosed embodimentsare merely exemplary of the invention that may be embodied in variousand alternative forms. The figures are not necessarily to scale; somefeatures may be exaggerated or minimized to show details of particularcomponents. Therefore, specific structural and functional detailsdisclosed herein are not to be interpreted as limiting, but merely as arepresentative basis for the claims and/or as a representative basis forteaching one skilled in the art to variously employ the presentinvention.

FIG. 1 shows a disposable nail polish removing device 12 that isgenerally spherical in shape. Longitudinal axis 14 is oriented generallyvertical and runs through the center of nail polish removing device 12.A pair of opposing pole areas 16 are joined by the longitudinal axis 14.Generally aligned with longitudinal axis 14 are one or more indentations18. The one or more indentations 18 are shaped to facilitate theengagement of the fingers 20 of a practitioner. A practitioner may usethe one or more indentations 18 to grasp the disposable nail polishremoving device 12 between any two fingers. The device 12 is capable ofretaining its original shape throughout the nail cleaning process.Although it may be compressed during use its resilient nature allows itto spring back to its original generally spherical shape. A remainingsurface 22 lies outside the one or more indentations 18 on the nailpolish removing device 12. The pole areas 16 exist within the remainingsurface 22. Also disposed on the remaining surface 22 at one of the twoopposing pole areas 16 is a first operational area 24 that can he usedto absorb and apply a nail cleaning fluid. A cleaning fluid may include,but is not limited to, an organic solvent, oil, water, liquid soap,acetone, non-acetone polish remover containing ethyl acetate, oracetonitrile. A second operational area 26 is disposed at the secondpole area 16 that lies opposite to the first operational area 24 and canalso be used to both absorb and apply a cleaning fluid once the firstoperational area 24 becomes soiled. As the nail polish removing device12 becomes soiled at both the first 24 and the second 26 operationalareas, one of the one or more indentations 18, or any part of theremaining surface 22 may be rotated in to use such that when one of thepreviously mentioned regions is juxtaposed with a finger or toe nail andit can be used to facilitate the cleaning of a finger or toe nail. Thisrotate-ability of the device adds additional operational areas forcleaning use.

The one or more indentations 18 may be sized to receive the finger tipof a practitioner 28. In one embodiment of the device the one or moreindentations 18 includes two indentations 18 a, 18 b which are generallydiametrically disposed on the nail polish removing device 12 andparallel to the longitudinal axis 14 of the device. The nail polishremoving device as illustrated in FIG. 2 shows another embodiment of thedevice 12 which includes four indentations 18 a, 18 b, 30 a, and 30 b.One or more of the indentations may be used by the practitioner to graspthe device 12 during use. The four indentations 18 a, 18 b, 30 a, and 30b are aligned generally parallel to longitudinal axis 14 and disposedabout equally around the device 12. In the event that the operationalareas 24 and 26 of the device 12 become soiled, one or more of the fourindentations 18 a, 18 b, 30 a, and 30 b, as well as any part of theremaining surface 22, can be rotated into use such that when one of thefour indentations 18 a, 18 b, 30 a, and 30 b or part of the remainingsurface 22 is juxtaposed with a finger or toe nail it can be used tofacilitate the cleaning of a finger or toe nail.

The nail polish removing device as illustrated in FIG. 3 shows anotherembodiment of the device 12 in which there are six indentations 18 a, 18b, 32, 34, 36, and 38. One or more of the indentations may be used bythe practitioner to grasp the device 12 during use. The six indentations18 a, 18 b, 32, 34, 36, and 38 are aligned generally parallel tolongitudinal axis 14 and disposed about equally around the device 12. Inthe event that the operational areas 24 and 26 of the device 12 becomesoiled, one or more of the six indentations 18 a, 18 b, 32, 34, 36. and38, as well as any part of the remaining surface 22 can be rotated intouse such that when one of the six indentations 18 a, 18 b. 32. 34, 36,and 38 or any part of the remaining surface is juxtaposed with a fingeror toe nail it can be used to facilitate the cleaning of a finger or toenail.

FIG. 4 shows the nail polish removing device 12 with six indentations.Four of the indentations 18 a, 18 b, 30 a, and 30 b are alignedgenerally parallel to longitudinal axis 14 and disposed about equallyaround the device 12. Two additional indentations 32, second additionalindentation not shown, are added to device 12 at the pole areas 16through which longitudinal axis 14 runs. One or more of the indentationsmay be used by the practitioner to grasp the device 12 during use. Inthis embodiment of the nail polish removing device any of the sixindentations, as well as any part of the remaining surface 22, can bejuxtaposed with a finger or toe nail and used to facilitate the cleaningof a finger or toe nail through both the absorption and application of acleaning fluid.

FIG. 5 shows the nail polish removing device 12 as generally prolate.The prolate shape of the device 12 is made by aligning the longerdiameter 40 of ellipse 42 with longitudinal axis 14 and rotating ellipse42 about longer axis 40 until a prolate spheroid is formed. Indentations18 a and 18 b may be positioned such that the short axis 44 of device 12is both adjacent to and runs through the center of the indentations. Inthe event that operational areas 24 and 26 become soiled, the remainingsurface 22 of the prolate device may be used to facilitate the cleaningof a finger or toe nail when the remaining surface 22 is juxtaposed witha finger or toe nail.

FIG. 6 shows the nail polish removing device 12 as generally cubical.The cubical nature of device 12 allows for indentations 18 a and 18 b tonot only be placed generally parallel with the vertically orientedlongitudinal axis 14, as depicted in FIG. 6, but also to be placed onany of the six sides of device 12. Operational areas 24 and 26 are shownas being on the pole areas 16 of cube 46 but it is also possible to useany remaining surface 22 of cube 46 to facilitate the cleaning of afinger or toe nail when the remaining surface 22 is juxtaposed with afinger or toe nail.

FIG. 7 shows the nail polish removing device 12 as generallyfrusto-conical. A frusto-conical shape may be defined as a tiptruncation of a cone by a plane that is parallel to its base.Longitudinal axis 14 is generally vertical and runs through the centerof the pole areas 16 of device 12. The base of the frusto-cone isdefined as the largest of pole areas 16 and the tip is the smallest ofpole areas 16. Two indentations 18 a and 18 b are oriented generallyparallel to longitudinal axis 14 and on opposing sides of device 12. Afirst operational area 24 may lie within the largest of the pole areas16 and a second operational area 26 may lie opposite the firstoperational area 24 and within the smallest of the pole areas 16. In theevent that operational areas 24 and 26 become soiled, the one or moreindentations 18 or any part of the remaining surface 22 of thefrustoconical device 12 may be used to facilitate the cleaning of afinger or toe nail when juxtaposed with a finger or toe nail.

FIG. 8 shows the nail polish removing device 12 as generallyfrusto-pyramidal. A frusto-pyramidal shape may be defined as a tiptruncation of a pyramid by a plane that is parallel to its base.Longitudinal axis 14 is generally vertical and runs through the centerof the pole areas 16 of device 12. The base of the frusto-pyramid isdefined as the largest of pole areas 16 and the tip is the smallest ofpole areas 16. Two indentations 18 a and 18 b lie generally parallel tolongitudinal axis 14 on opposing side of nail polish removing device 12.The two indentations 18 a and 18 b are shown to be on opposing sides ofthe device 12; however the indentations may be placed on any side of thefrusto-pyramidal that lies outside the pole areas 16. A firstoperational area 24 may lie within the largest of the pole areas 16 anda second operational area 26 may lie opposite the first operational area24 and within the smallest of the pole areas 16. In the event thatoperational areas 24 and 26 become soiled, the one or more indentations18 or any part of the remaining surface 22 of the frustopyramidal device12 may be used to facilitate the cleaning of a finger or toe nail whenjuxtaposed with a linger or toe nail.

FIG. 9 shows the nail polish removing device 12 as generallyhemispherical. A hemisphere may be defined as half a sphere that hasbeen separated by a plane through its center. Longitudinal axis 14 isgenerally vertical and runs through the center of the pole areas 16 ofdevice 12. The base of the hemisphere is defined as the flat pole area16. Two indentations 18 a and 18 l) lie generally parallel tolongitudinal axis 14 on opposing sides of nail polish removing device12. A first operational area 24 may lie within the base pole area 16 anda second operational area 26 may lie opposite the first operational area24 and within the second opposing pole area 16. In the event thatoperational areas 24 and 26 become soiled, the one or more indentations18 or any part of the remaining surface 22 of the hemispherical device12 may be used to facilitate the cleaning of a finger or toe nail whenjuxtaposed with a finger or toe nail.

FIG. 10 depicts the nail polish removing device 12 as a sponge. Thesponge may be made of the group including, but not limited to, naturallyoccurring sponges, manmade sponges, or cellular foam. Sponges are knownfor their porous nature. A sponge allows for a practitioner to absorb acleaning fluid from a cleaning fluid dispenser, apply the cleaning fluidto a nail surface, and then absorb the cleaning fluid along with theremoved nail polish and other debris from the nail. A sponge will retaintoughness and shape throughout the manicuring process.

FIG. 11 illustrates a nail polish removing device 12 comprising asubstantially convex body 50. The substantially convex body defines aconvex surface 52. The convex body 50 has means to retain a fluid 54 incommunication with the convex surface 52. The fluid 54 within the convexbody is capable of being deposited on to a substrate 56. To facilitateeasy grasping of the nail polish removing device 12 at least one concavefinger-well 58 is disposed on and partially below the surface of theconvex body 52. A transition surface 60 is provided between the convexsurface 52 and the concave finger-well 58. The transition surface 60 isa blunt edge that is capable of providing means for cleaning difficultto reach regions of a finger or toe nail including but not limited to, acuticle region or under the nail surface.

According to the teachings of yet another non-limiting embodiment of theinvention, liquid material may be deployed within each one (or any) ofthe previously described nail polish removal devices.

For example, liquid in the form of nail polish remover 120 may be placedwith the device 12 by means of a syringe 299 or other injectionmechanism and the contained liquid 120 will be selectively forced out ofthe interior of the device 12 and out onto the outer surface 122 whenthe device 12 is squeezed, compressed, or made to selectively andforcibly engage a finger nail, thereby causing the contained liquid 120to be applied to the fingernail. In this manner, the device 120 is a“self-contained” device which contains the liquid necessary toeffectuate polish removal. Therefore, no additional liquids arenecessary and the potential for spillage and fume inhalation is reducedor eliminated and which provides a simpler cleaning methodology. Thecleaning material 120 is provided within the device 12.

Thus, according to a method 300 associated with this embodiment and asshown best in FIG. 12, a nail polish removing device 12 is created orobtained in the initial step 304. The device 12 may be substantiallysimilar to any of the afore-described nail polish removal embodiments ofdevice 12. Step 304 is followed by step 306 in which liquid, such asnail polish remover 120, is placed into a syringe 299. Step 308 followsstep 306 and, in this step 308, the syringe 299 is made to pierce thedevice 12 and the contained liquid 120 is placed within the device 12.In step 310, which follows step 308 the syringe 299 is removed from thedevice 12 and the liquid 120 remains operatively deposited within thedevice 12.

In yet another non-limiting methodology of the invention, an alternatedevice methodology may be utilized in which the device 12 is molded orformed in two separate substantially identical and hollow portions, asshown in FIG. 13. The nail polish removing liquid 406 may be selectivelydeposited upon a surface 408 of the device half 410. After the liquid406 is deposited, the second device half 412 is glued or otherwisesecured or connected (e.g., such as by glue seal 500) to the firstdevice half 410 such that the deposited liquid 406 resides with theformed device 500 as best shown in FIG. 14.

Each of the devices 12 may be initially formed from a block ofcompressible and porous material and a pair of finger shapedindentations may be formed within the material. These indentations aretypically formed before the liquid is injected into or otherwise placedwithin the formed device 12.

In yet another non-limiting embodiment of the invention, as is bestshown in FIGS. 15 and 16, a device 300 is formed having a rigid spongedand absorbable outer layer 512 and a very rigid inner layer 516 which issubstantially non-deformable and which may be made from closed callpolyurethane foam (see, for example,www.wisegeek.com/what-is-polyurethane-foam.htm). In this manner, theouter layer 512 may be selectively absorb and selectively deposit thenail polish remover and the very rigid inner layer 516 preventsdeformation thereby reducing the likelihood that the technician willexperience carpal tunnel syndrome and providing a therapeuticexperience. The sponge layer 516 may be glued or otherwise secured tothe outer layer 512. If the layers are not utilized, then each of theforegoing devices 12 may be made from a non-deforming sponge (such asthat used in the mattresses which are publicaly available from TianjinTuojia outdoors manufacturing Co., LTD (www.tuoija.en.alibaba.com), orfrom a plastic sponge (www.buyonlinedirect.thomasnet.com). Further, inan alternate embodiment, each of the devices 12 may be of the same sizeand shape as a tennis ball. Thus, the firm sphere will continuallyprovide therapy to nail technicians who have carpal tunnel syndrome asthey perform their activities and will reduce the probability oftechnicians actually experiencing or acquiring carpal tunnel syndrome.

While embodiments of the invention have been illustrated and described,it is not intended that these embodiments illustrate and describe allpossible forms of the invention. Rather, the words used in thespecification are words of description rather than limitation, and it isunderstood that various changes may be made without departing from thespirit and scope of the invention. Additionally, features of variousimplementing embodiments may be combined to form further embodiments ofthe invention. As required, detailed embodiments of the presentinvention are disclosed herein; however, it is to be understood that thedisclosed embodiments are merely exemplary of the invention that may beembodied in various and alternative forms. The figures are notnecessarily to scale; some features may be exaggerated or minimized toshow details of particular components. Therefore, specific structuraland functional details disclosed herein are not to be interpreted aslimiting, but merely as a representative basis for teaching one skilledin the art to variously employ the present invention.

What is claimed is:
 1. A method for forming a nail polish removingdevice comprising the steps of forming a first half of said device, saidfirst half of said device having a first hollow center portion; forminga second half of said device, said second half of said device having asecond hollow center portion; placing nail polish removing liquid withinsaid first hollow portion; and coupling said first half to said secondhalf thereby causing said nail polish removing liquid to be contained ineach of said hollow center portion.
 2. The method of claim 1 whereinsaid first half of said device is glued to said second half of saiddevice.
 3. A method for forming a nail polish removing device comprisingthe steps of obtaining a porous and compressible member; forming a pairof indentations in said member, wherein each of said pair ofindentations are formed in the shape of a finger; obtaining liquid;obtaining a syringe; placing said liquid within said syringe; piercingsaid member with said syringe; depositing said liquid within said memberand removing said syringe, thereby forming a nail polish removal device.4. A nail polish removing device comprising a spherical body having aninner portion formed from a defamable material and into which a pair ofsubstantially identical indentations are formed; and a spongy outerlayer which covers said body without covering said indentation.